Alan Smith believes Arsenal could face a defining moment of their season when they take on Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on Super Sunday.
Custom New Orleans Pelicans Jerseys . The top-of-the-table Foxes saw off Manchester City at the Etihad last weekend, and face another test of their title credentials against the Gunners.Arsenals victory over Bournemouth was their first win in five league games, and with five points separating the two sides at kick-off, former Leicester and Arsenal striker Smith told Sky Sports News HQ Sundays match could prove crucial come the end of the season. Mesut Ozil was on the scoresheet as Arsenal got back to winning ways Arsenal have got to make sure theyre at it for the big occasions, and this is a huge occasion, Smith said. It could be a defining moment of their season.If they can come through it, then theyre going to have great confidence for the reminder of the season.Bournemouth was a must-win game after those four matches [without a victory]. They had lost their confidence, belief, and momentum, so thats got them back on track and a win on Sunday would get them more firmly back on track. The Gunners mental toughness was questioned prior to their home defeat by Chelsea in January, and the 1-0 loss extended their winless record to nine league games against the Blues.With another big game on the horizon, Smith says Arsene Wengers side have the quality to beat Leicester, but believes the Chelsea game raises fresh concerns over their ability to perform when the pressure is on. Foxes unheralded stars Leicesters unfashionable stars top of the Premier League The jury is still out, he continued. They have a really poor record in terms of staying at the top at the end of seasons. Part of that is the squad has not been strong enough, and its partly down to mental weakness too.There has been a psychological barrier and weve seen that twice against Chelsea this season. They just cant get over the line against their London rivals.As a wider issue - are they mentally strong enough now to push on, to beat Leicester on Sunday, and to push on again during the difficult away games to come? Are they strong enough to get their talent across? Thats still the big question for me. Theo Walcott was among the goals as Arsenal beat Leicester 5-2 in September Arsenals 5-2 victory at the King Power Stadium in September could provide a blueprint for success this weekend, and Wenger may be further boosted by the return of Francis Coquelin to the starting line-up after a two-game absence.But Per Mertesacker, who has not featured since his red card in the Chelsea defeat, may remain on the bench with Smith predicting Wenger to stick with Gabriel Paulista in defence. Smith tips Gabriel to keep his place in defence, with Mertesacker on the bench It was actually Arsenal counter-attacking Leicester at the King Power, Smith continued. Theo Walcott was in the team through the middle, as well as Alexis Sanchez, but its a different story when youre playing at home. Youve got two extremely talented teams.Arsenal have to defend properly, and I would guess Wenger will stick with Gabriel next to [Laurent] Koscielny. Gabriel has more pace than Mertesacker and they have to deal with pace. Arsenal to outfox them? Leicester 2-5 Arsenal: Was this the template to beat Foxes? Id expect to see Coquelin back in the holding midfield position too. He gives the side so much more stability in front of the back four, and they are getting back to full strength. Get a Sky Sports Day Pass Dont miss Arsenal v Leicester. Watch live on NOW TV for £6.99. No contract Also See: The Sanchez factor Who has the best midfield? Are Leicester the new Forest? Leicesters unheralded stars
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http:///...vis-Pelicans-Jersey/ . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. AUSTIN, Texas -- Charlie Strong had barely settled into his seat Friday when the first and biggest question of preseason training camp came: Do you have a starting quarterback?No, Strong said with a laugh. Not yet. But he promised to announce one early.Starting quarterback. Why is that always the question? he said.Because no bigger personnel question hangs over Strong and the Longhorns as the 2016 season approaches. No decision is likely to have a bigger impact on his future at the program after two losing seasons.Texas opens the season at home Sept. 4 against Notre Dame.Whether Strong opts for freshman Shane Buechele, senior Tyrone Swoopes or sophomore Jerrod Heard, he has to get this one right.Buechele appears to be the clubhouse leader after a strong performance in spring drills. But Swoopes and Heard, both former starters, will get their chances under new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert.If its Buechele, it would be the biggest home start for a Texas freshman quarterback since Colt McCoy led the No. 2 Longhorns against No. 1 Ohio State in 2006. McCoy already earned a win over North Texas a week earlier, but his national debut was a disaster of a 24-7 loss.Strong and Gilbert call Buechele a natural leader, a strong competitor and a gifted athlete.
Jrue Holiday Pelicans Jersey. But they are reluctant to anoint him too soon.Each one of them, theyre different, and they all bring something different to the game, Strong said.There are other worry spots, such as a defense that struggled all last season and is woefully short on experience up front. Texas welcomed five freshmen defensive linemen who each pack more than 300 pounds. Strong will be counting on them for depth.And theyre not sloppy. Its weight put on the right way, Strong said.Strong is 11-14 heading into his third season. Texas hasnt had three consecutive losing seasons since 1954-56.The whole attitude of the team is totally different, Strong said. The whole team has a sense of urgency. You have a group of guys who are willing to work with one another. Its a totally different feel than it has been the last two years.That will be tested immediately by Notre Dame in a Sunday night game that could turn up the heat on Strong if the Longhorns lose.[Notre Dame] is a crucial game, he said. We have the spotlight. Were at home. ' ' '